Platies For New Tank Cycling?

[FoamLess]

I looked around a bit, and found that platies are hardy enough to cycle a new tank. So, I bought 2 to cycle my new 29 gallon fish tank (I've waited a long time for it). Should I put the 2 platies in after the temperatures are high enough? Or should I wait untill the tank has been cycled with filter for a day or two?

I really dont want those platies to die, Im really fond of any living creature. And I really like fish.

Another question I have is, I have about half of the water in the new 29 gallon tank cycled already before I got the tank, the other half is new water. I am also using an old filter which already have all the beneficial bacteria, and I dont think I killed them. The question is, the tank cycling period is shorter now? or still the same? Or because I am using an old filter, I dont really need to wait a long time till I can put the main fishies in?


Regards




-Foameh

 

[dunchp]

I use platies to cycle my tanks; they are fine for the job.

I would add them as soon as the tank gets warm enough for them, from what you say the tank water is only really a 50% water change anyway so they should be fine. If you are worried then you could always use some tap water conditioner.

As for the stocking levels, in theory you are probably able to start stocking up a bit quicker, although we are only talking a matter of a week or so anyway so, unless there is a reason why you have to stock the tank now I would wait the normal length of time. It is better to wait than rush and regret.

 

[modaz]

with the tank having an already active filter with the bacteria, you should be ok, but i would wait a few more days, i set up every tank the same way but never put fish in for atleast a week. use to do it before the week but too many perished and now i have no problems. its all to do with the filter and not the water but adding some of the water from another tank is always a bonus

 

[Lynda B]

Be sure to take readings and take them often. Preferably with a drop test kit.

 

[theotheragentm]

Fish should never be used for cycling a tank. While you may not see the results, it is ALWAYS harmful to cycle a tank with fish. The reason is because even with water changes, you are going to see ammonia levels, which is the first step in the bioload process. Ammonia will not kill fish out right like nitrites will, but it burns the gills, shortening the life of your fish. Do not cycle with live animals. You can cycle with pure ammonia or get a shrimp from the market and place it in a plastic bag with holes in it. This will give you an ammonia source without using live animals.

The exception to cycling a tank with live fish is if you had a huge tank and you added one fish a week. This would take much longer than fishless cycling though.

 

[FoamLess]

Thanks for all the replies guys =]
I guess I'll wait one more day till I put the platies in and see, I hope they wont suffer x_X

ps. doesnt it take a few fish in the tank to cycle the tank?



-Foameh

 

[01edmn]

if your filter is cycled you should put fish in now other wise wont it just die off with no ammonia

 

[theotheragentm]

if your filter is cycled you should put fish in now other wise wont it just die off with no ammonia

Correct. If you have a filter from an existing tank, it has a bacteria culture already. If you use it on a new tank or use some of the filter media, you are taking the bacteria into the new tank. Depending on how many fish, you can start adding fish right away and you should see little to no spike in bioload.

If you have no bacteria source to work with for a new tank, adding an ammonia source to allow bioload to build up so bacteria can colonize is what is needed. While fish may survive a cycle, they shouldn't be used to cycle a tank. Since you already have fish in the tank, keep up with water changes to make sure the fish can stay in clean water.

 

[FoamLess]

Alright =]
I think I have the general idea now, I hope I didnt kill off too much bacteria, since I let the filter ran for 2 days without any fish. I did "feed" the tank a bit thou.

 

[theotheragentm]

Alright =]
I think I have the general idea now, I hope I didnt kill off too much bacteria, since I let the filter ran for 2 days without any fish. I did "feed" the tank a bit thou.

If you have a filter run on a tank, generally two weeks would almost guarantee no cycle in a new tank (number of fish and tank size being similar of course). Two days would do little I'd guess, but it's better than nothing.